President Barack Obama delivered a eulogy for Rev. Clementa Pinckney, his friend and a political ally in the South Carolina state legislature, that will forever be remembered because the president led the church in “Amazing Grace.”

President Barack Obama delivered a passionate discourse on America's racial history Friday in his eulogy for Pinckney, a state senator and pastor, slain along with eight other black churchgoers in what police called a hate crime.

"What a life Clementa Pinckney lived!" Obama said to rounds of applause and "amens." ''What an example he set. What a model for his faith. And then to lose him at 41. Slain in his sanctuary with eight wonderful members of his flock."

"Their church was a sacred place," Obama said, "not just for blacks, or Christians, but for every American who cares about the expansion of liberty. ... That's what the church meant."

Obama started the emotional day with a statement on the Supreme Court’s decision in support of same-sex marriage.